The legendary Indo Pak Express and their awesome season – Tennis Special
The Indo Pak Express comprising of Pakistani Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Indian Rohan Bopanna saw their best season ever. Reaching their career best ATP Doubles rank at number five, the Indian Pakistani duo became one of the world’s
best team along with a symbol of peace between two rival nations.
The Indo Pak Express of Qureshi and Bopanna was formed in 2007 and were together till the end of this year. The partnership was also seen as a symbol of friendship between Pakistan and India.
At last year's US Open, Qureshi said: "It is the beauty of sport that it's above culture, politics and religion… So by pairing together through our tennis, we are trying to give a message of peace to people of India and Pakistan."
At Wimbledon both Qureshi and Bopanna wore T- shirts and sweatshirts stating, ‘Stop War, Start Tennis’.
Qureshi – Bopanna duo saw their best season this year as they won titles at Halle (dumped the Dutch Canadian pair of Robin Haase and Milos Raonic in a three set thriller) and Stockholm (slew Brazilians Marcelo Melo and Bruno Soares
with a breadstick) ATP 250 series events. In addition to this, the pair made a last four showing at US Open, a quarter-final berth at French Open and reached the third round of the Australian Open.
Lime lighting their season further, the tandem grabbed their first ATP Masters 1000 title in Paris this month after defeating local wild card enterers Julien Benneteau and Nicolas Mahut in straight sets. As a result, they reached
their career best rank at number five in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Doubles Rankings and easily qualified for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.
The high flying duo lost in all three round robin matches in the ATP finals but they still enjoyed the 2011 season – their best season.
Despite enjoying an awesome season, Bopanna decided to part ways with the Pakistani, stating that he is looking forward to qualify for the Olympics next year.
"Who I want to play with is my decision... I did have a successful year with Aisam [Qureshi] but now I am starting a new year with Mahesh, and it's as simple as that," said Bopanna after declining to give any reason for the split.
The Indian left Qureshi to pair up with his compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi who has recently split up with his veteran doubles partner Leander Paes.
Pakistani number one Qureshi ruled out any bitterness towards Bopanna after he broke the Indo Pak Express for an Indian veteran.
The 31-year-old Pakistani is hopeful of pairing up with Dutchman Jean-Julien Rojer, who won three titles (Estoril, Nice and Kuala Lumpur ATP World Tour 250 series events) with his American partner, Eric Butorac this season.
"We want to cement our places in the Olympic Games and have decided to play with new partners in the doubles," Qureshi told the Press Trust of India.
Their friendship will last forever despite ending their professional partnership for their respective goals. The Indo Pak Express, on the other hand, will be remembered forever especially by the people of both rival nations.
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